Search form

You are here

Basis for National Health Reform payments – South Australia 2013-14

The basis used to determine NHR payments to LHNs in South Australia was advised by the SA Department of Health to be as follows:

In determining the annual funding allocation for all LHNs, the budget has been built up predominantly on an activity basis applying an internally developed allocation methodology that is designed to equitably distribute funding to each Local Hospital Network relative to all LHNs in South Australia. This occurs within the confines of a limited funding pool that includes adjustments to recognise cost improvements and the attainment of service efficiencies that are also equitably allocated on an activity basis. Supplementation is provided as Block Funding where an activity-based approach is not appropriate. This captures the provision of services including teaching, training and research, some mental health services and the delivery of out of hospital strategies incorporating primary health.

Monthly allocations to LHNs will vary for a variety of reasons, but they are predominantly cash flow financed based on need which includes the activity demand on hospital services.

Between March and June 2014, the Commonwealth provided South Australia with additional public hospital funding of $17,146,588.96 under the funding measure: National Partnership on public hospital system - additional funding. This funding was provided to offset the downward adjustments to 2013-14 NHR funding applied at the 2013-14 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) and the 2014-15 Budget, due to the application of updated NHR funding indexation parameters. A requirement of the provision of this funding was that it is passed on in full through the National Health Funding Pool and/or State Managed Fund to LHNs for activity based and Block Funding, and State and Territory health departments for public health funding.